SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Navin Khanna pleaded guilty Friday to federal charges including conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate, conspiracy to commit promotional money laundering, and interstate transportation of stolen property.
Court documents reveal that Khanna, his family members, and co-conspirators operated DG Auto and purchased stolen catalytic converters from California and across the U.S., totaling more than $600 million between October 2019 and March 2024.
The Department of Justice reported that ten New Jersey residents and three Californians connected to the theft ring were also charged. Catalytic converters are targeted due to their high value, ease of theft, and lack of identifying markings.
Khanna alone purchased over $38 million of stolen converters from the Sacramento area. According to prosecutors, Tou Vang and his family, operators of Vang Auto, shipped pallets exceeding 1,000 pounds of high-value converters, often focused on models like the Toyota Prius.
Vang was sentenced to 12 years in prison for transporting stolen converters, laundering money, and related crimes. Khanna’s sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
This case highlights the rise of catalytic converter theft rings operating across multiple states and the use of complex laundering schemes to distribute stolen property.
